Adjustable seat length hospital bed



Nov. 30, 1965 1-. NELSON ADJUSTABLE SEAT LENGTH HOSPITAL BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1964 INVENTOR. TED NELSON ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1965 T. NELSON ADJUSTABLE SEAT LENGTH HOSPITAL BED Filed April 9, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. T E D N E L SON ATTORN E Y 3,220,021 ADJUSTABLE SEAT LENGTH HOSPITAL BED Ted Nelson, 8638 Patterson Pass Road, Livermore, Calif. Filed Apr. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 358,449 4 Claims. (Cl. -65) This invention relates to hospital beds having a mattress support with separately tiltable head, seat and foot sections capable of being pivotally moved by power from the horizontal or normal position, to various attitudes including amongst others the Fowler, the Trendellenburg and/or the sitting position. More specifically, this invention relates to such a bed in which the seat section is adjustable as to its longitudinal length so that the depth of the seat section is controlled. This permits the adjustment of the length of the bed to accommodate the varying heights of the patients.

The longitudinal adjustment of the seat section to accommodate the patients height is made quickly and without any interference with the power and control means. This is made possible by a seat section having extended side plates on which to pivot with the pivot pins being adjustable longitudinally with respect to the frame of the seat section. The relative relationship of the power means for pivotally raising or lowering the head section is secured by means of a telescoping joint fastening between a movable transverse member mounting, the pivot pins and the frame of the seat section. The power means for pivotally moving the head section is mounted for movement with movable transverse member to maintain their relative positions at all times.

An advantage of the invention is that the seat section of the mattress support is adjustable to the body height of the patient. This is important because the body of the patient should fit the various contours of the attitudes of the bed. If the seat section is too short for the patient, the knees will extend far beyond the curve of the mattress in any attitude of adjustment when the knees are bent, with possible pressure on the under portions of the thighs. If the seat section is too long, in any attitude where the head section is raised, the patients back will be positioned away from the head section which should support the back.

Another advantage of the invention is that the seat section may be extended in length up to the limits of the adjustment provisions merely by moving and fastening the transverse member. The head and foot sections of the mattress support need not to be touched or adjusted in any way since the mattress is secure at head and foot to the sliding head and foot covers and the adjustments are absorbed in the sliding covers. The pivot of the entire mattress support as a unit is not in any way affected by the adjustment. The pivot control distance between the head section and the seat section is self-compensating because the pivot control and the head section are both pivotally joined to the movable transverse member and so move as a unit.

Another advantage is that the seat length can be adjusted longitudinally with very little physical eifort. The movable transverse member need only be unlocked from the sides of the seat frame, slidably positioned to the new adjustment and locked in place.

A further advantage is that the seat length can be adjusted with the patient in bed although no power means is provided.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a hospital bed having a pivotable mattress support with separate pivotally joined head, seat and foot sections in which the length of the seat section is adjustable longitudinally without disturbing the relative pivot points.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hospital United States Patent 0 "ice bed adjustable to various attitudes including a sitting attitude in which the length of the seat section is adjustable longitudinally to accommodate the varying heights of the patients.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hospital bed having a seat section adjustable longitudinally which does not change the overall length of the mattress support.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tiltable hospital bed having a seat section of adjustable length in which the pivot controls are not altered by the seat length adjustments.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hospital bed with a tiltable mattress support and separately pivotable head, seat and foot sections in which the position of the seat section mounting the pivotal attachments for the head section is adjustable longitudinally.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, economy and ease of assembly and disassembly, also such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will fully appear and as are inherently pos sessed by the device and invention described herein.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the same is illustrative of the invention and that the invention is capable of modification and change and com prehends other details of construction without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the mattress support for an adjustable seat length hospital bed of the invention showing the extensible seat section;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the adjustable seat length hospital bed of the invention showing the extensible seat section; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation showing the adjustment for the length of the seat portion.

Referring now to the figures in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views, there is shown a hospital bed 10 having an open ended frame comprising two parallel side rails 11 and 12, each with a pair of foot legs 14 and head legs 15 connecting the side rails and a removable headboard 16. .These together with suitable cross bracing form a rigid support for a mattress support 18 for the mattress 19. Each of the foot and head legs may be housings provided with extensible legs therein (not shown) to which are attached suitable locking casters 20. It will be understood that the function of the frame is to pivotably support the mattress support 18 at a single pivot point so that a variety of attitudes may be assumed, such as the Fowler, Trendellenburg and many others.

Mattress support 18 comprises three sections, a head section 21, a seat section 22 and a foot section 23. The head and foot sections 21 and 23 are each pivotally connected to the seat section 22. Theentire mattress support is pivotally mounted on the frame by pins 24 between the respective side rails and the foot end of the seat section 22. Thus, only the foot section 23 and the seat section 22 are pivotally mounted on the frame and these by the same pivot pins 24. Power means are provided, not part of the invention except as otherwise discussed, for the control of pivot of the head, seat and foot sections relative to each other, and for the pivoting of the mattress support 18 as a whole on the frame. Likewise, power means may be provided for adjustable raising and lowering of the head and foot legs in the leg housings. Accordingly, it may be seen that the entire mattress support may be pivoted on the pivot pins 24 J from a lying horizontal position to a near vertical position and that the foot, seat and head sections may also be pivotally positioned separately with respect to each other to provide other positions, such as a sitting position.

The seat section 22 is a rectangular frame composed of two angle members 31 and 32, foot and head, rigidly joined, as by welding, at either side by channel members 33 which have a wider web than the length of the legs of 31 and 32. The channels 33 have extension flanges 36 and 37 extending headward and each is provided with matching longitudinal slots 38. A series of four detents 40 are spaced along each of the slots 38 to correspond with the lengthening or shortening of the seat section desired for patients of different heights. The detent toward the foot is for persons '3" in height or less, and at the opposite end of the slot 38 is the detent for the maximum adjustment for a 6'3" person.

Transversely between the slots 38 of the side flanges 36 and 37, is a movable cross member 39 of rectangular cross section. At each end of the cross member 39 is secured a plate which has headward extending ears 42 overlapping on the inside of the generally downwardly directed triangular plates 61 attached to head section 21. A threaded pin 34 guiding on a roller 43 passes through the side flanges 36 and 37 at either side and through the upper part of the triangular plates 61 and acts as the pivot between the head section 21 and the seat section 22. The pin may be threaded to engage in the ears 42 of the movable cross member 39. Each of the pins 34 guide in the slots 38 to provide longitudinal movement on the rollers 43 to the limit of the slots. The pins are provided with knurled knobs 45 so that the pins 42 are moved l0ngi-' tudinally and reach a certain detent 40, they may be tightened in the adjusted position. It will be observed that since the transverse member 39 is secured to the side flanges 36 and 37, when the pins 34 are moved, this also moves with these. Likewise, since the head section is pivoted on said pins, the head section moves with them.

Attached rigidly to the central portion of the movable cross member 39 and extending toward the foot therefrom, is outer tube 46. At its terminal end is a collar 47 having a depending web 48 to which hydraulic cylinder 49 is pivotally attached. The collar may be positioned on outer tube 46 by means of set screw 51 or any suitable adjusting means. An inner tube 52 fastened to the rear channel member 31 extends headward and fits within outer tube 46 to form a telescopic sliding fit therein. Tube 52 being nonmova'ble, the movement of the outer tube 46 is guided thereon and in this manner the relative position of the hydraulic cylinder with respect to the pivot pin 34 is maintained.

The seat section is pivotally connected to both the frame and to the foot section 23 by means of pins 24 communicating through extensions 54 at each end thereof. Means for pivoting the seat section 22 or all three sections as a unit are pivotally attached to the frame and include levers 56 and hydraulic cylinder 57.

A sliding gap cover 59 is positioned over the open area between cross member 39 and the stationary seat cover 60. Stationary seat cover 60 is also provided for a portion of the seat section between channel members 31 and 32.

In order to show the cooperation with seat section 22, head section 21. consists of a rigid rectangular frame 65 having triangular plate extensions 61 extending vertically footward at either side. The head section 21 is pivotally connected to the seat section 22 by means of pins 34 communicating through the upper portion of triangular plates 61. The triangular plates 61 depend downwardly and at a lower apex is mounted a transversely extending torque tube 62 therebetween. Torque tube 62 serves as a terminus for the piston 63 of hydraulic cylinder 49, so that by actuation of the piston 63, the head section 21 pivots on pins 34 around seat section 22. Braces 64 ex- 4 tending from torque tube 62 outwardly to the frame 65 lend support and rigidity thereto. A fixed metal cover sheet 66 may be used over most of the area of the frame 65 of the head section 21.

A sliding head cover 71 fits over the head end of the frame 65 and over a portion of the cover sheet 66, and permits these members to slide freely and longitudinally therein. Depending inwardly angled flanges 72 along the sides of the head cover 71 fit over and under the sides of the frame of head section 21 to prevent the cover 71 from being lifted off. Mattress securing straps are secured through grommets 74 so that the sliding head cover 71 remains positioned with respect to the mattress as the frame 65 of head section 21 slides back and forth longitudinally to accommodate the adjustments of the length at pins 34 and to accommodate the changes in angle as the head section is raised or lowered.

In the operation of the adjustable seat length hospital bed, knobs 45 on each side of seat section 22 are loosened so that rollers 43 are free to Slide along slots 38. The cross member 39 is then moved longitudinally until the rollers 43 are positioned in one of the detents 40 corresponding to the extension of the cross member 39 desired. As the cross member 39 moves, the tube 46 moves with respect to the inner tube 52 in a telescoping relationship which preserves the structural strength of the mounting. As the tube 46 moves longitudinally, so does the mounting for the hydnaulic cylinder 49. Since the head section 21 is also attached to the transverse bar 39 through pins 34, the distance between the hydraulic cylinder connection with the lever 48 and the piston rod 63 connection with torque tube 62, these relative positions do not change with the adjustments by the knobs 45 and the movement of the transverse bar 39, accordingly, the hydraulic cylinder need not be adjusted. Although the frame 65 of head section 21 is moved longitudinally 'by the adjustment of the cross member 39, the over-all length of the mattress support within the bed frame remains the same by virtue of the sliding head cover 71, which retains its position by the ties of the mattress so that head section 21 does actually change its position with respect to the headboard 16. When the cross member 39 and the rollers 43 are properly positioned, knobs 45 are once again tightened to retain the cross member in place. This length adjustment, shorter or longer, occurs usually only once and this is just prior to the time the patient is placed in the bed. This being true, and since there is no load, no power means is provided for this adjustment. However, the adjustment can be made easily with the patient in the bed, even without power means.

From the foregoing it can be seen that the adjustment of the length of the seat section 22 in no way interferes with the pivot of either the entire mattress support or of one section of the mattress support with respect to another. When the seat section is effectively lengthened, the only consequence to the pivot action is to move the frame head section longitudinally by the length of the adjustments either within or without the sliding head cover 71. The head section pivots with the seat section with respect to the bed frame on pivots 34 and thus the adjusted length does not affect the head section pivot action. The separate pivot between the head and seat sections on pivots 34 is self-compensating as described.

I claim:

1. In a mattress support for a bed having a foot section, a seat section and a head section with the seat section being adjustable as to length, in combination a seat section having a rigid frame with the side portions being extended longitudinally at the head end, a transverse member adjusta bly carried between said side extensions, pin means for positioning and locking said transverse member at a plurality of positions along said side extensions and pivotally mounting the head section, a head section having a rigid frame pivotally mounted on said pins, a two-part telescoping means, one part being secured on the rigid seat frame and the other attached to and movable with said transverse member, and power means mounted on the movable part of the telescoping means for operatively controlling the pivoting of said head section and to provide a constant distance relationship with said head section regardless of the adjustment of the seat Section.

2. In a mattress support for a bed having a foot section, a seat section and a head section pivot-ally connected together for movement individually or as a unit in a vertical plane with the seat section being adjustable as to length, in combination a seat section having a frame with extensions along each side having a plurality of detents for the longitudinal adjustment with the releasable pivots on the head section, a head section having a frame and releasable pivots for engaging the detents of the seat section in the longitudinally adjusted position and depending side plates below said pivots, a transverse member carried between said side plates, power means operatively connected to said transverse member to pivot the h ad section with respect to the adjusted pivotal connection with the seat section, and telescoping means mounting the power means to maintain the relative position of the power means regardless of the longitudinally adjusted pivotal connection between the seat section and head section.

3. In a mattress support for a bed having a foot sec tion, a seat section and a head section pivotally connected together for movement individually or as a unit in a vertical plane with the seat section being adjustable as to length, in combination a seat section having a frame with extensions along each side having a plurality of detents for the longitudinal adjustment with the releasable Pivots on the head section, a head section having a frame and releasable pivots for engaging the detents of the seat section in the longitudinally adjusted poistion and depending side plates below said pivots, slida ble cover means over said head section frame at the head end, said slidable cover means remaining in the same position and absorbing any adjustment of the seat section to maintain the length of the mattress support, and a transverse member carried between said side plates, power means operatively connected to said transverse member to pivot the head section with respect to the adjusted pivotal connection with the seat section, and telescoping means mounting the power means to maintain the relative position of the power means regardless of the longitudinally adjusted pivotal connection between the seat section and head section.

4. In a hospital bed the combination of an open ended bed frame having transverse braces spaced from the open foot end, a mattress support pivotally mounted on said frame adjacent the open foot end, said mattress support having a seat section pivotally mounted on said bed frame at its foot end and side frame extensions having a plunality of means for adjustably receiving the pivots of the 'head section, a foot section pivotally mounted on said frame on the same pivot-s as said seat section, and a head section having releasable pivots for adjustable pivot-a1 connection to said foot section, means for operating the .pivoting of said mattress support as a whole, means for operating the pivoting of said foot section and means for operating the pivot of said head section relative to said seat section, said seat section being adjusted longitudinally by means of the adjustable pivots.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,699,026 1/ 1929 Schum-acher et al. 5-60 2,500,742 3/1950 Tayl-Or 569 2,592,025 5/1962 Gray 297348 3,032,059 5/1962 McLeod 567 3,149,349 9/ 1964 Nelson 5-66 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A MATTRESS SUPPORT FOR A BED HAVING A FOOT SECTION, A SEAT SECTION AND A HEAD SECTION WITH THE SEAT SECTION BEING ADJUSTABLE AS TO LENGTH, IN COMBINATION A SEAT SECTION HAVING A RIGID FRAME WITH THE SIDE PORTIONS BEING EXTENDED LONGITUDINALLY AT THE HEAD END, A TRANSVERSE MEMBER ADJUSTABLY CARRIED BETWEEN SAID SIDE EXTENSIONS, PIN MEANS FOR POSITIONING AND LOCKING SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER AT A PLURALITY OF POSITIONS ALONG SAID SIDE EXTENSIONS AND PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE HEAD SECTION, A HEAD SECTION HAVING A RIGID FRAME PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID PINS, A TWO-PART TELESCOPING MEANS, ONE PART BEING SECURED ON THE RIGID SEAT FRAME AND THE OTHER ATTACHED TO AND MOVBLE WITH SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER, AND POWER MEANS MOUNTED ON THE MOVABLE PART OF THE TELESCOPING MEANS FOR OPERATIVELY CONTROLLING THE PIVOTING OF SAID HEAD SECTION AND TO PROVIDE A CONSTANT DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID HEAD SECTION REGARDLESS OF THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE SEAT SECTION. 